Former Vodafone Ireland executive faces fraud trial

Former head of corporate financial services accused of stealing almost €2 million from company over a four year period.

Niall Baron, a former executive of Vodafone Ireland, will stand trial for stealing almost €2 million from the telecoms company whilst in his role as head of corporate financial services.

Barron, 40, has appeared at Dublin District Court facing 42 charges under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act after he was arrested in Dublin city centre last week by detectives of the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation.

It is alleged that the offences were carried out at Vodafone Ireland’s HQ in Co Dublin between 2003 and 2007.

The charges include one attempted theft, two for deception with the remaining counts split between theft of specifics sums and deception by inducing payments.

Detective Garda Stephen Niland informed Judge Denis McLoughlin, who was overseeing the hearing, that Barron had “made no reply to any of the charges”. The Director of Public Prosecutions has recommended that the case go forward for trial at the Circuit Court at a later date.

Barron has been released on bail on a bond of €1,000 with no objection from defence solicitor Dara Robinson, who said his client was consenting to a seven-week adjournment.

The former executive will be required to sign on every Tuesday and Friday at Wexford Garda Station. He has surrendered his passport and is forbidden from applying for any new travel documents. He must also inform the authorities of any changes of address.